IAS Books for Civil Services Prelims and Mains Exam Preparation

If you have the question “What are the books needed to clear IAS?” in your mind, we hope this post to clear all your doubts. Taking inputs from toppers, a detailed list of the best IAS books available in the market as per the latest UPSC syllabus for each subject in Prelims and Mains is given below. Aspirants may click on each link to buy books online at discounted prices. Links to free IAS online study materials are also provided in this post (see last section). Take maximum benefit of the same. All the best!

Essential IAS Books For UPSC Prelims (Click on the links to buy online)

IAS Books in Hindi Language

For many of the books listed above, corresponding books in Hindi language are available in the market. Hindi medium students may check the link UPSC Books in Hindi Language to buy online at discounted prices.

Free Online Resources For IAS Prelims and Mains

ClearIAS Prelims Mock Test Series

As you may know, only when tested in an exam atmosphere with negative marking, you can improve the ability to deliver in the actual exam hall. Try for free the UPSC Prelims online mock exams by ClearIAS – in the new innovative platform which integrates learning with test-taking. You would be surprised to find how fast you can learn!

Tips regarding IAS book selection

It’s not necessary to read 201-heavy-weight-books to clear IAS! But considering the competition and vast syllabus, there is no doubt that UPSC exam preparation cannot be done without some essential books. Quality books act as add-ons to your online preparation and help a lot in self-study. Concentrate on the recommended books mentioned in this website along with NCERT books for daily study. Use additional books as reference.

Please note that we always try to update the list with most authentic books available in the market. But if you are running short of time to finish the syllabus before exam, you may better focus on concise books instead of bulky ones. You can use Modern India by Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir IPS) then, which is a small book which covers almost all major points given in Modern India by Bipan Chandra. Similarly, you may just focus on Indian art and culture by Nithin Singhania IAS, for culture topics.

ClearIAS.com publishes reviews on new books in the market under our Book Review section. Publishers/authors can send us samples for review. Readers too can post the reviews about the UPSC books they bought in the comment section. That will be helpful for other aspirants for book selection.

Hello friend I have completed my agriculture graduation just now. I’m interested In bussiness for my childhood time .but after death of D.K.Ravi I decided to be in D.K.Ravi sir place I want to become DC OF KOLAR district . But I dnt know any thing about ias plz help me my mail id [email protected]

sir,
I have recently cleared my BA in English and I am continuing my MA in English l opt to become an Admnistrative offier(IAS)and I want start it along with my studies.. Sir can you please refer me some books and help so that I may start my preparations.. my email ld is [email protected] Thank you.

do we need to follow all the books or we need to select like in case of history for mains History Of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
India’s Struggle For Independence – Bipan Chandra
both these books have overlapping contents…..

history of modern india is for beginners in history. so read it only if you are a fresher in history. sooner or later you will have to read india’s struggle for independence as well because it delves into important issues and stages of freedom struggle.alternatively you can dispense with the first book and instead read icse class 10 history vipul shah- buy and read it . you will benefit from it.

Dear Navlika,
It is gud that you are thinking for IAS after 12th only, start clearing ur all basics and boost your knowledge in all subjects, take syllabus from this site and read books accordingly. You will have 3 years to study during your graduation and after that you can attempt for IAS.

During the early stages of preparation, select only one or two basic books for each subject. For History, India’s Struggle For Independence by Bipan Chandra is a better choice. But later on, you should expand your book base for each subject. The strategy for selecting the books is outlined in the link : http://www.clearias.com/smart-work-ias-preparation/. All the best!

We do acknowledge the fact the Public Administration is a more popular optional than Electrical Engineering. But there are positives and negatives for both these subjects and you have to weigh the merits and demerits of the same, based on your background. Select Electrical Engineering only if you have genuine interest in it, and only if you are confident enough that you will get proper materials and guidance for the same. Guidance and materials for Pub Ad, are relatively easy to find. But that does not mean that you should take Pub Ad. If possible, talk personally to candidates who wrote IAS mains taking these subjects as the optionals. Go through the syllabus and past question papers of the same.

We at ClearIAS.com is of the opinion that all optional subjects have equal chances of success as proved by many candidates hailing from diverse backgrounds. Take a decision after thorough analysis. All the best!

Thanks for your service through this website.
I have been in to various fields as of now. like completed BE – ECE and then MBA – Marketing.
Worked in Sales for around 3 yrs now.
But UPSC exam is new to me. I really want to clear this. Any suggestion ???
What are the options (Political science/ pub ad) available according to the latest Syllabus??
Books You have mentioned above for free really match the Books you have mentioned at the top???
I am from Chennai.
Thanks

The Hindu or Indian Express newspaper should normally get you 75 percent or more marks of all current affairs related questions. Latest editions of India Year Book and Manorama Yearbook 2014 will also be a sure help. Go for magazine like Cronicle or Frontline if you have ample time and need deeper analysis on selected topics. Suggested websites include PRSindia, IDSA and of-course ClearIAS.com 🙂

Dear amol,
Start from UPSC syllabus and previous year question papers of UPSC Prelims and Mains. It’s available in this website. Then go into detail some the easy topics. You may refer NCERT texts or standard text books for IAS for that. After gaining confidence, you may shift to higher topics.

Hello Sir,
I was glad that i found this website and it is very useful to all aspirants. many of us, have doubts in newspaper reading- what are topics we need to focus in a newspaper???, what are the important news we need to look after?. I would be happy if you could answer my question.THANKS IN ADVANCE:)

hey sir !! mai i request u if someone sorry mostly not everybody has that kind of whole budjet to buy such costly books or google dont provide those books to read but those r the important to get for the dream !! are they r not available for download ???? the information u given was fantastic i appreciate nad pls make those ebooks for everybody to download !!

sir here are good information about upsc books. sir I have problem for choosing optional in optional i’m interested in LAW subject then can I choose it and i’m complete my b.com and now I want do L.L.B so its a right decision. tell me sir pls

sir i am studying bsc 2nd year iam an ias aspirant i wanna start my preparation from this year i am so confused how to begin my preparation so please guide me to start my preparation please sir please help me pleassssssssssssssssse

hello sir..
i pursued my b.tech in computer sciences stream and planning to prepare for UPSC exam..i m bit panic in choosing optional subject..initially i thought economics or psychology would b fine but later i came to know that it should need some ground work as i am unaware of those basic concepts..therefore i thought history is a better choice..pls justify..if not suggest a good subject
regards in advance

Dear Barkha,
Please read the post on optional subject selection in http://www.clearias.com. This is entirely a personal choice and the priority should be for your interest/taste for the subject. All the best!

thanx a lot for ur response sir……. sir one more question dat i want to ask is that are the new NCERT buks of economics are according to UPSC syllabus n from which class buks should i start and must i start to study regularly???????

sir,
i want to know whether there will be parents back ground verification process in civil service selection process?

my parents did second marriage initially i am an s.c but my father is b.c so in which caste should i consider myself either S.C or B.C????
although i have S.c caste certificate give by govt.office…..
please reply me soon sir

I m a btech 3 rd year student..i desparately want to be an ias officer..but i need some suggestion and advice regarding guidance..actually i m confused whether i should start my preparation from now or i should wait for the completion af my course..and if i could start from now then from where to start..what to start..should i focus on current affairs..or tell me the subjects amd biks that i could refer for a successful and satisfactory start..j

HEY SIR I AM 22 YR OLD . I AM GOVT EMPLOYEE. I WANT TO BECOME AN CIVIL SERVANT . CSP 2014 , WITHOUT PREPARATION MY SCORE IS 50+ MARKS IN PAPER 1 AND 130 SCORE IN PAPER 2 . NOW TO CLEAR IAS 2015 FROM WHERE I SHOULD START ? AND I HAVE SURFACE KNOWLEDGE OF ALL SUBJECTS. PLZ SUGGEST ME?

kavita , civil service conducted UPSC mainly, I.A.S,I.P.S,, I.F.S. This three postings are All India services
I.P.S., is technical job civil service exam u get a good rank Surely you become An I.P.S., officer
please take a study materials in this wabsite and choose your optional first of all can you watch a syllabus….
all the best….,!

Actually ,I Have Prepare to civil service ..currently i had completed in my 12th and during B.A.English lit .., ,,
but, its doesn’t matre sir,, mains general studies paper 3 Reference Books please tel me and please help me sir..,
and then , can you please given to an I.P.S. Training period syllabus sir please help me sir .

One of the best book for preparation is “CURRENT AFFAIRS & ISSUES, A 360 DEGREE ANALYSIS”, UNIQUE PUBLISHERS” recently launched by SNM IAS Academy providing you all the required study materials according to the requirements of the preparing candidates for IAS….!!

how to select optional , i am having a idea of selecting polity as optional but i am confused because no one is guiding me properly some will tel its tough subject and some will tel no one had passed taking polity as a optional i am totally confused my idea is to select any one subject that is already there in gs paper,this is my problem and i am a commerce student so what to do

Hi! I’m a student of std 9th… and I want to become an IAS officer.. What type of preparations Do I need from now..?? And plus what type of books do u suggest me to read and get best results in UPSC.. Because I want to prepare myself from now only.. so sir/madam please help me..

was at this stage exactly one year back. i would like to share my personal experience. the book to which i owe so much, THE UPSC INTERVIEW by Dr. Pranav Mahajan under Knowracle Publications. in my words, this is something really good for all the UPSC aspirants. @rishabh maheshwari, [email protected] , Aneri Vasani

Hi
I completed my graduation from delhi university in 2010, but i have never attempted any competitive exams.. I an not so confident about it but can I appear for UPSC prelims 2015, if I start preparing from now..??

i am in 3rd year of b tech. (electronics and communication)in NIT .In august i will b in final year when prelim is to b given .can i attempt the ias exam during my final year of btech so that as i leave the college i will be in service plz send reply to [email protected]

Dear anubhvya,
Civils is all about analysis , try to read hindu newspaper everyday (mother of GS), revise NCERT books, I can’t say that those books will suffice, but for now they are ok. get addicted to hindu.

I m a beginner just started my preparation for ias..I Have been struggling while taking notes for such a huge syllabus..my notes seems very clumsy..pls tell me any idea to prepare an effective notes..how to take an effective notes

Thanks a lot for yr guidance here . Im doing english hons. from du but Im not too interested in it & I hv a great interest in psychology so I want to know that what will be better for me to choose optional ? should I readmit for psychology as it is my first year ?

Hi,
could you please suggest me the book/books on disaster management
civil services exam(IAS) and In what syllabus of the civil services this issue comes.
one more thing for which i’m confused ,i have order a book for ‘Civil
Services Examinations- India and the World by Rukmini Bhattacharjee’ by a link:http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/9350949830?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
could i read such kind of books or we read only famous author books .

Hi sir,
i am studying BSC(ag) 3rd year in Acharya N.G.Ranga Agricultural Univarsity. i want to write agriculture as a optional in UPSC. Up to 10th class i was a telugu mediam student. Sir, i want to write agriculture papers in english and remaining papers (GS and Eassy) in telugu, is it possible or not sir.
plz help me sir.

i want to know that what is the %age chances of clearing IAS for those having electrical eng as optional.is it dependent on no of candidates taking this as optional…is there any difference in checking of elect. eng . paper coz if my numerical is complete n answer is right then full marks will be given and from where the checker can cut the marks as in another subjects u have to write mostly stories.paras. and chances of deducting marks are more.plz suggest some best books for elect .eng optional.

Dear sir,
I have already filled upsc 2015 prelim form & i have taken LITERATURE OF MARATHI LANGUAGE as mains optional subject. But my graduation is not with this subject. But i have studied this subject in B.A -1. Is it ok or problematic. I did my graduation from
IGNOU.
PLZ SIR tell me, i need your help.
Uday.

hello sir, at now i completed engineering in computer engg. and started preparation for upsc civil exam but there some confusion arised in selection for main exam subject, so SIR CAN U SUGGEST ME TO WHICH SUBJECT ARE EASY FOR ME AND RELATED FOR MY COMP. ENGG. BRANCH. please sir suggest to me for request.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Hi,
I applied for UPSC IAS & IFS Pre exam of 2015. I didnt aaplied earlier for upsc exams. As per age criteria this is my first and last chance. (GEN cat)

I WANT TO CLEAR THIS EXAM ANY HOW
Now only 50 days left to prepare
I m working with PSU. Prestly i hav only 5- 6 hours daily to read book.
I opted agriculture as main sub.
Now i m at very starting point to study for pre exam too.
Book available with me
Gs1& gs2 of arihant
Some periodicals like civil services
Front line, yojna etc from apr-15 to June-15.

I am planning to appear for UPSC exam for next to next year with all the best efforts required.

As the UPSC pattern has changes in 2015 , please guide me for the best books and topics in new syllabus. I acquired all the details available at your web site about books , upsc web site for syllabus and how to proceed as Beginner .
I am choosing Physics and Hindi as Optional, physics on interest basis and Hindi as I am not left with any other language option. Need guidance on Hindi Subject.

I request you to guide me for other related aspects in the best possible way, if possible anyone can mail me the things to keep in mind for preparations and

Sir , I just completed my Graduation in Mech Engineering . I further want to be a civil aspirant can u give me suggestions and overview of the process of the selection and training . I think I need the information from the basic standards . I want to attempt without coaching .

I am doing M.com and I am new in this field and I want to clear IAS…So sir plz tell me the basics of IAS how I prepare for august Pre exams….Plz sir give me some hints…I will b very thankfull to you Sir

Hi sir I want to start my upsc studies from now and want to be a future ias officer .Will you please tell to me from which thing i should start. also will you please tell me the overall books which i should read and start from which books first of all , Are ncert books of physics , chem , bio usefull for upsc studies , and we have to biheart these books .

Respected Sir/Mam, I have been admitted in a renowned university for B-TECH engineering but in the course of these four years, I want to prepare for IAS exam without coaching. So, please guide me and provide me the best techniques so that I shall be capable of managing my B-TECH as well as my preparation regarding IAS civil services exam.

Sir,
I am 27 year old graduate, now working as an engineer in saudi arabia. I would also like to start preparing IAS like many. But i am not started preparation from childhood and also not updated with current affairs or anything. But i have the will to clear the exam. Is it possible to start now from zero and clear ias exam. If so please help me with your useful guidance to become an ias officer. please see it as a serious request and let me know if you can help me.
Thank you

27 is not a high age as far as UPSC exams are concerned. The will, as you said, is most important. Please refer articles published in this website. Also download and install Clear IAS app. That should give you a basic idea how to start.

Dear sir,i need your valuable suggestions for reading a particular book.Is it required to cover every line of a book for a particular subject? If your answer is no,then how would i know the important part of that book.

It may not be practical to read every line of each book. Selection of important topics from books becomes easy by experience. UPSC syllabus and Previous year UPSC questions should be the best source for guidance in the process.

Hello clear ias team…
Sir I have pursued my MBA recently, am preparing for ias 2016. Can you please suggest me some books to refer on management optional… and one more thing. . Am bit weak in maths, would that be a problem for the civil services prelims… plz enrich me with proper guidance sire. …

Hello sir,
This is Ganesh prasad.i have completed my Btech (MECH) this year.i am planning to prepare for IAS for next year.I dont have any perfect guidence sir. help me with your useful guidance how to start.

Mr. Ganesh Prasad, first of all start with NCERT books, after completion of reading NCERT books, Go for one Standard books for each History, Geography etc.. mentioned in this websites. Regularly read one standard National newspaper preferably The Hindu and to start with Refer to magazine Competition Success Review. And most importantly follow this websites regularly. Best of Luck

@Dayanand: Thanks for providing the right guidance to a fellow candidate. Help among aspirants is much appreciated as we may not always get time to reply individually to all comments/those questions already answered. Thanks.

Hi guys. ..this is the best applications for everyone who want to crack civil services exam.in this application everything is the helpful. ..believe me this is the best applications. ..i give five star. ..

Sir I have just taken admission in BA . presently I am in AP so I can’t go through classroom coaching programs which are being run by various institutions in Delhi . plse suggest me how to start preparation

I’m planning to appear for Civil services examination of 2016. The above said list of books seems to be good along with NCERT platform. Currently I’m working for an MNC in Kerala, so suggest me a plan for how and where to start the preparations to crack the examination. Also how much hours of daily preparation needed if I’m starting preparation from October on wards…

How to start preparations for Civil services? Why you should become a civil servant? How to select optional subject? How to read newspapers? When to join coaching? What are the books required to be followed? Elaborate strategy for GS. What to do when you are already doing a job? Mistakes that are usually done at the time of interview. Subject-wise analysis of CSAT and mains. Are there hints thrown by UPSC in the notification? Is coaching really required for becoming IAS? How far are the websites and other electronic media useful in the studies?
All these questions and many more are explained in a very lucid manner in an amazing book by Divey Sethi.
CRACK CIVIL SERVICES IN FIRST ATTEMPT – http://www.amazon.in/Crack-Civil-Services-First-Attempt/dp/8819972581

My daughter want to know the best publication books for upsc prelims exam preparation at home. Right now she is in part-II Graduation (4th Semester ). Her subject is Geography & Economics. we are not able to provide coaching for the same. Is is possible to get online notes for prelims & main subject Geography. Please help me.

i am student of computer science engineering 2nd year . i want to start my preparation for civil services but confused about the syllabus i.e. from where to start so that i may clear my exam in first attempt . plz help me in this regard

Hello ClearIAS
I m a final year B.Tech student. I want to be IAS because its my dream but i m confused between selection of medium. I want to attempt my upsc exams in marathi because its my mothertounge and i am very compatible with it than english. So i want to ask whether the quality material for preparation of Civil services is available in marathi?(if yes, please suggest some good books for preparation)…Also can I choose history and geography as my elective for mains?..and i have a good job offer from a multinational company so is it possible to prepare for civil services while doing job?….please reply
Regards

Sir, this is Satish Kumar Boini, working as Sr. Clerk in Revenue Department, Odisha. I am 24 now. I want to be a civil servant. Sir, I am to state that I have little time to prepare for the prestigious exam and it is very difficult to read between 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. that I have to perform my office duties. And I am unable to take leave or to resign my current job due to my poor financial condition. Sir, if I will go through the books there will be very difficult to manage my time schedule. So, I want to emphasize only the free online notes from CLEARIAS. Is this a right decision? Sir, please suggest me how to study in this busy schedue and what to refer.
Kindly, suggest me my well wishers and I will be very thankful to them.

Sir can i crack exam only read that books without any class? so help me sir please guide me. i am Marathi medium so how can i easily crack exam? & which books i have to reffer please tell me sir Thanks

Thanks, thanks, thanks a lot for this treasure of books. You have provided me solution to all the problems by making this list of books with all the links. Though I had got the study material from my IAS coaching center Vajiram, I was still looking for some other useful books and now I have found this treasure. Eagerly waiting for the next update 🙂

I am from Tamil medium, i from small age to my dream IAS ,pls however I got my ambition and then I love to do social work ,I have no dad ,so I can help to poor people ,I have so many of feel from poor ,so no one can come to that feelings ,so i honestly my job to do ,not only job ,definitely I can do my best ,

Madam, I have a doubt. Please do clear it. I want to write civil services exam…am I able to write the xam of.mains in my regional.language that is Telugu and optional in English becoz my btech is in englishedium.in mechnstream

Hello sir
I want study material for english lit mains
Sir plz help me by providing me list of book for the subject and if u are aware of any classes for mains english lit in delhi or mumbai
Sir is it necessary that one should have background of the subject for optional
Plz reply

@Tejan: You just have to click on the links provided in http://www.clearias.com/ias-books/. That will take you to Amazon/Flipkart website. Just pay online or go for cash on delivery option. Most of the books have discounts.

I have just 2 years to clear my upsc exam.So to prepare in short and gain knowledge please let me know the books tor preparation. I know its high time but my family situation dint let me do it.i need ur guidance.

I am working as a Software Engineer. I need the guidance for IAS exam preparation . I have to work 9-10 hours daily . I do not want to leave my job and also i want to prepare for this exam. I am totally confused. Please some one guide me.
And also help me with how to prepare?

Marathi
Here are some help tools for tackling Marathi in the UPSC exams, ranging from the syllabus to reading list and other tips. These resources on Marathi also includes IAS Question Papers of Marathi. We wish you to adopt the best strategy and become successful. We try our best to provide as many resources for your prepration as possible, but if you can add to this list please feel free to send us links or matter.

Mains Syllabus of Marathi
Question Papers of Marathi
Suggested Strategy for Marathi
Civil Service Exam Book for Marathi

Respected sir/madam
I have competed my 12th standard in science and i got govt seat in medical college.I want to clear civil service examinationin first attempt in year 2021 and start my career as I.A.S officer.guide in a way to reach my goal.
thank you .

Sir I’m vinusha I want appear in IAS exam 2017… but now I’m engineering final year and is completing at June 2017… so will attend to IAS exam 2017??? Pls suggest me sir I dnt know anything about ias and books… so pls give me suggestion sir.. can I eligible to prepare ias exam?? And how to prepare?? Which books u suggest to me…. pls reply sir I dnt know anything about ias pls sir….and also suggest to me how to improve communication and English grammar… pls give suggestion sir….

Hi Abhinav, To master each subject as per the requirements of UPSC Prelims and Mains, reading just one book for a subject may not be enough always. For example, for History – it’s always better to read the authoritative books for Ancient India, Medieval India and Modern India – each separate. This is the ideal case – if you have enough time. But for subjects like Polity, you can stick to just one book – either Polity by Laxmikanth or Polity by D.D. Basu. But, remember, UPSC may not stick with just one book. They will ask from very diverse topics including the current affairs related to each subject. You can also refer toppers interview to know from how diverse books/materials they studied each subject.

Hello sir, my name is ganesh iam so much interested in IAS exam. Now iam 3rd year engineering student. Idont no what to do and how to prepare for ias. And which type of books i have to reffer. Please help me and please give me the complete discription of IAS. How to become succed in it ????

Hi….I have graduated this year and I am still in a confusion for a selection and reference of books..so will you please inform or refer me about the best books for a preparation of IAS…or u can send it in my mail..I am counting on u n I will be grateful of u…tq

Hi,
Can you please confirm if the syllabus mentioned above is still valid for the UPSC exam that would be held in 2017. Also, can you please suggest books and study material to directly cover the subjects in detail. Thanks for your help.